Dracaena cantleyi
What a beautiful and unusual foliage plant! The Dracaena cantleyi has striking lance-shaped leaves with mottled spots all over. It also produces showy clusters of flowers, and small round fruits that turn orange when ripe.
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There is some astounding new research where Orangutans in Indonesia have been observed using the leaves of Dracaena cantleyi as a topical medicine. Some snippets from the linked article (courtesy of The Independent UK):
“The Borneo based apes chew leaves of the Dracaena cantleyi plant to create a white lather, which they then rub onto to their bodies.”
“On one of these occasions the team was able to capture it on camera. The footage showed a female orangutan called Indy applying the plant-based lather to her upper left arm. The researchers noted that the leaves she chewed to produce the lather were not swallowed.”
“We believe that females may be using this plant to soothe sore muscles and joints from the extra weight of carrying their infants while climbing through the forest canopy.”
The article mentions that local Indonesians also use the leaves for a similar purpose, however we recommend bringing this plant into your home for just its beautiful foliage and unique leaf patterning. (Further research for the safe use of this plant as a medicine is required).
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Your Dracaena will prefer bright light and will tolerate partial shade. Requires moderate watering with good drainage. They are very hardy and one of the only ways to upset them is water-logging.
Temperatures below 8°C may cause browning on the leaves. If you live in a colder area we recommend keeping indoors.
Choose one of the gorgeous Dracaenas below; you will receive the entire plant in the 170mm pot. Price includes Express Post – plants sent every Monday (except Public Holidays).